Punjab Newsline, Shimla, October 14-
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said here today that climate change has led to an increase in the frequency of disasters, making it crucial to adapt to living with these challenges. He highlighted that awareness is the key to effectively facing disasters and minimizing the loss of life and property. He stated this while presiding over the International Disaster Reduction Day event, ‘Samarth-2024’.
Sukhu said that the state government is spending significant amounts of money to raise public awareness about disaster preparedness and has implemented several measures to mitigate the effects of disasters. He said that the state government must remain prepared to tackle future disaster challenges. To this end, a Rs. 800 crore project is being executed in collaboration with the French agency AFD, and Rs. 500 crore is being spent from the mitigation fund. He also announced that a major SDRF training institute will be established in Palampur and that the state is strengthening its infrastructure for better weather forecasting.
The Chief Minister said that the state experienced its first major disaster in the year 1905, when an earthquake in Kangra district claimed over 20,000 lives.